Oscar History: Academy Award Winning Movies and Actors of 1972

A look at Oscar winners and nominees, behind the scenes on the decisions for best picture, actor, etc for 1972, The Godfather wins top honors, Marlon Brando turns down the award.

1972

Best Picture

NOMINEES: Cabaret, Deliverance, The Emigrants, The Godfather, Sounder

THE WINTER: The Godfather (Albert S. Ruddy-Paramount)

DIRECTOR: Francis Ford Coppola

PLAYERS: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Richard Castellano, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard Conte, Diane Keaton

Best Actor

NOMINEES: Marlon Brando (The Godfather); Michael Caine (Sleuth); Laurence Olivier (Sleuth); Peter O'Toole (The Ruling Class); Paul Winfield (Sounder)

THE WINNER: Marlon Brando

Best Actress

NOMINEES: Liza Minnelli (Cabaret); Diana Ross (Lady Sings the Blues); Maggie Smith (Travels with My Aunt); Cicely Tyson (Sounder); Liv Ullmann (The Emigrants)

THE WINNER: Liza Minnelli

Behind the Oscar

Marlon Brando became the 2nd actor to turn down an Oscar. A lot had happened since he won in 1954, and now Brando insisted that the American Indian did not get a fair shake in films, on TV, and on reruns. Instead, he had a starlet by the name of Maria Cruz, who called herself Sacheen Littlefeather, refuse the Oscar for him. Liza Minnelli's slight scrape on a motorcycle didn't keep her from the ceremonies and her Oscar. Diana Ross, also a contender, was criticized for running a blatant ad campaign in her attempt to win the award.